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enBeckenbauer hopeful of Guardiola stayHonorary president Franz Beckenbauer is confident coach Pep Guardiola will sign a new contract at the Allianz Arena and stay beyond 2016.http://www.fourfourtwo.com/news/beckenbauer-hopeful-guardiola-stay
The former Barcelona boss agreed a three-year deal with Bayern in 2013 but, with that due to expire at the end of the next season, there has been speculation his time with the club may soon come to an end.
Guardiola refused to directly answer questions about his future this week, instead claiming it was "a dream come true" to have coached the German powerhouse.
However, with Guardiola having enjoyed Bundesliga, DFB-Pokal, UEFA Super Cup and FIFA Club World Cup success last term, Beckenbauer remains confident the Spaniard will stay for years to come.
"I once said that I hope that Guardiola stays here for 10 years and I continue to hope that. He will hardly find better conditions than in Munich at another club," he told Bild.
"He is only 44 years old and has enough time later to take over another club.
"It is also clear Pep Guardiola basically needs no contract. A coach of his calibre will go anyway, if he wants to go."
Bayern can move another step closer to the Bundesliga title on Friday when they travel to nearest challengers Wolfsburg with the sides separated by 11 points.
"Even with 11 points, you can still lose a championship," Beckenbauer warned.
news_articleWed, 28 Jan 2015 09:22:58 +0000332536 at http://www.fourfourtwo.comBeckenbauer: Shaqiri can probably leave BayernBayern Munichs honorary president Franz Beckenbauer has conceded the club are likely to let Xherdan Shaqiri move on in January.http://www.fourfourtwo.com/news/shaqiri-can-probably-leave-bayern-says-beckenbauer
Shaqiri, 23, has been restricted to just three Bundesliga starts so far this season, while each of his four appearances in the UEFA Champions Leaguehave come as a substitute.
TheSwitzerland international's continuedlack of game time has led tospeculation over his future.
And Beckenbauer expects Shaqiri to find a new club when the transfer window reopens in the new year.
The 69-year-old told Sky: "Bayern have already sent out a signal and indicated to him that he can probably go in the winter break, when he wants.
"I think it's a shame because he is a great talent."
Shaqiri, who joined Bayern from Basel in 2012,has been heavily linked with a move to Serie A.
news_articleWed, 26 Nov 2014 11:23:00 +0000294141 at http://www.fourfourtwo.comBeckenbauer not worried about Germany startFranz Beckenbauer remains unconcerned by Germanys unconvincing start to Euro 2016 qualifying and insists they will reach the finals.http://www.fourfourtwo.com/news/beckenbauer-not-worried-about-germany
Joachim Low's men swept all before them toliftthe World Cup back in July as Mario Gotze's extra-time strike defeated Argentina 1-0 at the Maracana.
Since then, however, Germanyhavefaltered.
They were beaten by Argentina in a friendly on home soil and thenstruggled to defeat a stubborn Scotland side 2-1 in their opening Group D fixture last month, before losing 2-0 inPoland and being held 1-1 at home by Republic of Ireland in the latest round of matches.
Those results leave Low's side fourth in the group and out of the qualification berths for the tournament in France in two years' time.
However, with seven matches still to play Beckenbauer, who won the World Cup as a player in 1974 and then as a coach in 1990, is not concerned.
"We have no reason to worry about qualification for Euro 2016, above all because we can still obtain it by finishing third.But that won't happen," he told Bild.
"There's no reason to lose our cool.Because that [a slump in form]also happened after the world title in 1974."
news_articleFri, 17 Oct 2014 07:50:10 +0000269675 at http://www.fourfourtwo.comBeckenbauer expecting Reus departureFranz Beckenbauer has reignited Bayern Munich and Borussia Dortmunds Marco Reus row, claiming the forward will soon exit Signal Iduna Park.http://www.fourfourtwo.com/news/beckenbauer-expecting-reus-departure
Reus has been heavily linked with a move away from Dortmund, with Bayern, Spanish giants Atletico Madrid and Real Madrid as well as the Premier League's Manchester United all credited with an interest in the 25-year-old.
Earlier this month, Bayern chairman Karl-Heinz Rummenigge drew the ire of the Dortmund hierarchy by revealing that Germany star Reus has a buy-out clause of €25 million written into his contract that comes into effect next year.
Dortmund chief executive Hans-Joachim Watzke hit back by accusing Bayernof trying to cause disruption.
Now Bayern legend Beckenbauer, currently serving as the Bavarians' honorary president, has risked stoking the flames of the fall-out again, expressing his confidence that Reus will be heading for pastures new in 2015.
"I can imagine him at Bayern very well," he told Bild. "If you can get a player of his class, you need to try it.
"I am sure: if he doesn't go to Bayern in 2015, he will probably go to another big international club such as Real Madrid or Manchester United. Dortmund are unlikely to be able to hold on to him."
Dortmund have lost two of their key players to German champions Bayern over the last 12 months, with striker Robert Lewandowksi following Mario Gotze to the Allianz Arena in July after agreeing a pre-contract with Pep Guardiola’s men in January.
news_articleMon, 18 Aug 2014 17:15:16 +0000233917 at http://www.fourfourtwo.comBeckenbauer: Germany have same spirit as 1990Franz Beckenbauer sees similarities between the current Germany side and the one he guided to FIFA World Cup glory in 1990.http://www.fourfourtwo.com/news/germany-have-same-spirit-1990-says-beckenbauer
Germany will contest their eighth World Cup finalwhen they take on Argentina at the Maracana on Sunday.
The clash will see Germany and Argentina face off in the tournament showpiece for the third time.
Beckenbauer was coach for eachof the previous meetings, overseeing an agonising3-2 defeat in 1986 before leading his team to revenge four years later with a 1-0 success.
Germany's run to the final this year sawthem grind out tight victories against Algeria and France beforeBrazil fell victimtoa scintillating display of attacking football in a last-four tiethat the hosts lost 7-1.
The 68-year-oldBeckenbauer has been impressed with Germany's performances in South America, and believes there are parallels between Joachim Low's men and the team he led to victory 24 years ago.
"The parallels with 1990 jump right out at the eye," Beckenbauer told the German Football Association's (DFB) official website. "Not only on the pitch but off it.
"I think about how our reserve players at that time in the tight matches against Czechoslovakia and England in the quarter-finals and semi-finals jumped and ran onto the field, to embrace the guys there.
"You see this quite clearly again now. I mention the example of Per Mertesacker, who had always played from the start and was suddenly returned to the bench against France. How great he has behaved in this role.
"That shows how strong this team is."
Beckenbauerfeels Germany are favourites for the final, citing their extra day of rest as akey factor, together with the likely support of Brazilian fans.
"When looking at the situation, all the advantages are in Germany's favour," he added.
"We had, in contrast to Argentina, one more day's rest and did not go into the extra-time and penalties in the semi-finals.
"In addition, our team is on top form and can be even better.
"I cannot imagine that the Brazilian spectators will support the Argentines on Sunday. This is a home game (for Germany) in the Maracana."
news_articleFri, 11 Jul 2014 15:28:24 +0000210604 at http://www.fourfourtwo.comEl World Cup Diario, Day 21: A day of rest. With Jean-Claude Van DammeNick Harpers getting all in a tizz with no World Cup footballery going on to discuss in his World Cup diary...Nick Harperhttp://www.fourfourtwo.com/features/el-world-cup-diario-day-21-day-rest-jean-claude-van-damme
'The sweat wis lashing oafay Sick Boy; he wis trembling. Ah wis jist sitting thair, focusing oan the telly. He wis bringing me doon. Ah tried tae keep ma attention oan the Jean–Claude Van Damme video.'
On Day 21 of the World Cup, we all felt a bit like Sick Boy from the film Trainspotting. On a day with no football, we all had the sweats and the shakes. This was the comedown after overdosing on so many goals and that Belgium-USA game. No football yesterday. No football today. No football for most of tomorrow? We’ve had our high, now we get the low.
How the hell are we going to get through until 5pm on Friday with no football? Well, we were wondering that, but then Diego Maradona cleared his throat.
Yesterday, the diminutive and possibly deranged Argentinian filled the massive football-free void by offering Pele, Franz Beckenbauer and Sepp Blatter (combined age 219) outside for a fight. Kind of.
"Those two [Pele and Beckenbauer], who came out of the museum, come out and talk and say stupid things because they are two idiots," raged the little guy. Their ‘crime’ had been to publically endorse The Suarez Ban, a stance El Diego quite vehemently opposed.
"These two football personalities came out of the sarcophagus and they were told 'Come and talk, defend FIFA because if not this month you will not get paid… they did it most likely because the 'capo' sent them to try and stop the avalanche of injustice that the whole world is talking about."
The Capo being Blatter, another man on Diego’s very lengthy ShitList, which probably includes El Diario for writing this and you for reading it. Why is he so irate so very often, you might wonder. Why? "I go crazy with these people because they defend the indefendible," he raged.
Fair enough, although just to reiterate, for anyone who somehow missed the news: Luis Suarez was banned for nine games and four months for biting an opponent for the third time in just over three years. Completely indefendible to suggest that might be appropriate.
Obviously we say ‘indefensible’ not ‘indefendible’ in the UK, but point that out to El Diego and he’d reach for his air gun. And pedantry aside, thank the good Lord Diego piped up and brightened up a fairly mundane day.
The Secretary of Defense
Much of the morning was spent admiring the hilarious gifs of Tim Howard, the USA goalkeeper who made the most saves in a World Cup match since they first started counting that stat (back in 1966) but still ended up going home.
Still, it wasn't all bad news for the Everton goalkeeper. He went absolutely viral yesterday, cropping up in a variety of Photoshopped images that filled the time and offered proof that the USA has gone loco for these World Cup finals.
First, someone somehow circumvented Wikipedia’s top-level security and turned Howard into the Secretary of Defense of the United States of America. When Wikipedia founder Jimmy Wales was alerted to the breach of security, he tweeted: “I do NOT APPROVE of vandalizing Wikipedia for comedic effect, but this is exquisite.”
Then various people began depicting ways the almost unbeatable shot-stopper could have saved pretty much anything if he put his mind to it. A shot of Howard saving the Titanic? Yep. And Bambi. And saving the dinosaurs from that meteor. He was even saving Giorgio Chiellini's shoulder from that man Suarez. Basically anything that at some point in the past has needed saving, Howard was your man.
We could have looked at crudely doctored pictures all day and it wouldn’t have grown tedious. Alright, maybe by mid-morning it would have, but we didn’t get to find out because some hard news dropped with a Clang!
A Hard News clang!
It was FIFA general secretary Jérôme Valcke, who was using this rest day to reflect on the 2014 World Cup and suggest, where necessary, how things might have been done better.
Among his musings, quoted at length and in Portuguese in Brazil’s O Globo, were the following…
That Brazil 2014 has been the best World Cup ever! "The level of football is awesome!" he beamed.
That The Luis Suarez Ban was right and proper. "It was the third time. We have to stop this kind of behaviour," he reasoned.
That the USA is now in line to host another World Cup. "What we see in the United States is staggering. The audience is unprecedented. Even Hulk Hogan gives one nowadays!" he partly said, as a $-shaped lightbulb fizzed above his head.
And the frank admission that FIFA's decision to allow official partner Budweiser to sell their beer inside stadiums might have backfired. "The alcohol level surprised me, many people were drunk," he gasped, clearly having never spent any time in England or an English football ground.
Speaking of drunkards, as we segue awkwardly from one story to the next, in the early hours of Day 21, police in São Paulo were forced to disperse thousands of celebrating Argentina fans using stun grenades and tear gas.
A touch heavy handed, you might suggest, but they had apparently "gotten too rowdy" so needed to be washed away. No arrests were made and absolutely no one got hurt, so in some ways, this possibly never happened.
You might have noticed that Jérôme Valcke dared endorse The Luis Suarez Ban in that previous bit, a stance guaranteed to get him on the wrong side of El Diego. Luckily for Valcke, by this point El D had turned his attention to a supposed job offer from the Venezuela national football team.
"I look for serious projects," he announced. "And I think that yes, if it's with security, then maybe." A few uncertainties still to clear up in all of that, but there’s one absolute: it will all end in tears.
Tears and thieves
Speaking of tears, Liverpool and Barcelona are now officially discussing the fire sale of that man Suarez. That was officially announced yesterday too, for the benefit of those of us too stupid to have seen it coming. That will absolutely end in tears, and apologies, and Luis Suarez saying he’ll never do it again.
And speaking of thieves, as we weren’t then but now are, Fabio Capello has been accused of being one by a Russian politician. “We need to look into his work and ask him to resign,” seethed Vladimir Zhirinovsky.
“But he’s greedy, so of course he won’t. It’s pretty good to get [£6 million a year] for doing nothing. The team lost and it doesn’t affect his pay in any way. Thief!” Zhirinovsky is Russia’s most controversial politician and a man famed for outrageous and wrong-minded outbursts. But this one he seems to have about right.
And here’s some early team news. Robin van Persie walked away from Holland’s training session with a bandage on one of his legs, which could be precautionary or could be a smokescreen ahead of their quarter-final with Costa Rica on Saturday. He also coughed twice as he left, which could mean he has influenza. It’s hard to tell from here.
But look, the good news in all of this space filling and time killing is that in the three minutes it's taken you to read about yesterday, we're now three minutes closer to tomorrow, which is when it all starts again. And my how it starts again! France against Germany at 5pm, and then Brazil against Colombia as night falls.
Of course the bad news in all of this is that after 56 mostly magnificent games, we've only got eight left before this is all over and the serious hangover kicks in. Actually, seven games if you consider that one of those is the pointless 3rd/4th place play-off. Seven games?! That’s all.
So let’s not wish these rest days away quite so fast. Let’s just kick back and enjoy this relative calm before it all kicks off again tomorrow.
Happy Day 22 everybody.
featureWed, 02 Jul 2014 23:01:00 +0000Gregg Davies205467 at http://www.fourfourtwo.comFIFA overturn football ban on BeckenbauerFIFA have lifted the ban from all football-related activity imposed on Franz Beckenbauer, his management have announced.http://www.fourfourtwo.com/news/fifa-lift-beckenbauer-ban
The iconic German – winner of the FIFA World Cup as a player with West Germany in 1974 and then as coach in 1990 – was punished by world football's governing body earlier this month after refusing to cooperate with a committee enquiry.
Yet FIFA have now overturned thosesanctions.
A statement from Marcus Hofl Management, who represent the 68-year-old, read: "FIFA informed Franz Beckenbauer on Friday 27th June 2014 that the provisional suspension, which was pronounced at 13th of June, terminates with immediate effect."
Despite having his ban lifted, Beckenbauer has no plans to fly out to the ongoing FIFA World Cup in Brazil.
"Separate from the decision ofFIFA, MHM as management and the partners of Franz Beckenbauer decided that Franz Beckenbauer will not travel to the World Cup," the statement continued.
news_articleFri, 27 Jun 2014 12:41:54 +0000202025 at http://www.fourfourtwo.comBeckenbauer to assist in FIFA World Cup probeFranz Beckenbauer has told FIFA that he will assist with their ethics investigation into the World Cup bidding process.http://www.fourfourtwo.com/news/beckenbauer-assist-fifa-world-cup-probe
The Germany legend - formerly part of FIFA's Executive Committee - had initially failed to co-operate with a probe led by lawyer Michael Garcia looking into the validity of the process around the 2018 and 2022 tournaments being awarded to Russia and Qatar respectively.
In response, the governing body handed out a 90-day ban that prevented the 68-year-old from taking part in any football-related activity, forcing him to cancel his trip to watch the current showpiece in Brazil, where he was due to fulfil television obligations.
However, Beckenbauer's manager, Marcus Hofl, confirmed in a statement released via Twitter on Sunday that his client will answer the questions asked by FIFA's ethics committee by June 27, and expects the ban to be lifted as a result.
The statement read: "Franz Beckenbauer told FIFA on Saturday that he would answer the questions by the ethics committee investigation by June 27 at the latest.
"It is our understanding that there is thus no longer any 'suspicion of a possible violation' against FIFA rules so we are assuming that the provisional sanctions against him will be removed without delay.
"It was the first time that FIFA didn't know how to contact me on the telephone," Beckenbauer was quoted as saying in the statement.
"I had also assumed that I didn't have to answer the questions because I no longer have any official capacity at FIFA. But that's all cleared up now."
news_articleSun, 15 Jun 2014 17:19:37 +0000193491 at http://www.fourfourtwo.comBeckenbauer cancels World Cup tripFranz Beckenbauer will not make his planned trip to the World Cup after claiming he would not be welcomed by FIFA.http://www.fourfourtwo.com/news/beckenbauer-cancels-world-cup-trip
The German, one of football's most famous names, was earlier this week suspended from all football-related activity for 90 days by the FIFA ethics committee.
The 68-year-old has subsequently opted to cancel his trip to Brazil, telling Bild: "I won't be going to Brazil. I am basing that decision on the fact I will not be welcomed by FIFA."
FIFA claimed the sanction was as a result of Beckenbauer's unwillingness to cooperate in a committee enquiry into the bidding for the 2018 and 2022 World Cups.
However, Beckenbauer has denied such a refusal, saying he has nothing to hide.
He added: "People with a memory will remember that I declared just after (the vote) that the choice of Qatar surprised me. And I was one of the first to say that a World Cup over there was impossible and that it would have to be played in winter.
"I have absolutely nothing to hide and I am clearly also of the opinion that there must be sanctions for those responsible when corruption is proved.
"I was ready to answer all pertinent questions, but they sent them to me in a legal English that I could not understand in such a complex case.
"So I politely asked that the interview be held in German and I was refused. So I said, 'Never mind'."
news_articleSat, 14 Jun 2014 17:00:16 +0000192812 at http://www.fourfourtwo.comBeckenbauer banned by FIFA for 90 daysFranz Beckenbauer has been banned from all football-related activity for 90 days by the FIFA ethics committee.http://www.fourfourtwo.com/news/beckenbauer-banned-fifa
Beckenbauer, who won the FIFA World Cup as a player with West Germany in 1974 and then as manager in 1990, has been suspended after refusing to cooperate with a committee enquiry.
On Friday, a statement released by world football's governing body confirmed the punishment.
"Franz Beckenbauer was today provisionally banned from taking part in any football-related activity, at any level, for 90 days," FIFA's statement read.
"The deputy chairman of the FIFA Ethics Committee's adjudicatory chamber, Alan Sullivan, issued the ban at the request of the chairman of the investigatory chamber, Michael J. Garcia. The ban is effective immediately.
"The decision was taken pursuant to the FIFA Code of Ethics art. 83 par. 1, on the grounds that a breach of the Code of Ethics appears to have been committed and a decision on the main issue may not be taken early enough.
"The apparent breach relates to Mr Beckenbauer’s failure to cooperate with an Ethics Committee investigation despite repeated requests for his assistance, including requests that he provide information during an in-person interview or in response to written questions provided in both English and German.
"The case is now the subject of formal investigation proceedings being conducted by investigatory chamber member Vanessa Allard as chief of the investigation."
news_articleFri, 13 Jun 2014 16:42:21 +0000192029 at http://www.fourfourtwo.comBeckenbauer urges Bayern not to celebrateFranz Beckenbauer feels Bayern Munich cannot afford to celebrate their Bundesliga title ahead of the DFB-Pokal final with Borussia Dortmund.http://www.fourfourtwo.com/news/beckenbauer-urges-bayern-not-celebrate
Bayern claimed the German top-flight crown for a 24th time back in March with a 3-1 win over Hertha Berlin, but their form has dipped somewhat since that achievement.
The Bavarians' title triumph was immediately followed by a draw against Hoffenheim and successive defeats versus Augsburg and Borussia Dortmund, ending a league unbeaten run that had stretched back to October 2012.
Pep Guardiola's men have since got back on track with three straight wins, but their 5-0 aggregate loss to Real Madrid in the UEFA Champions League semi-finals, a reverse that ended Bayern's defence of their European title, has led many to criticise coach Pep Guardiola.
Club president Beckenbauer, who won a total of 15 trophies with Bayern as a player and a manager, believes the loss of form since winning the title is understandable.
However, the 68-year-old has urged Bayern to resist the temptation to celebrate in their final league game with Stuttgart as they aim to secure a Bundesliga, DFB-Pokal and FIFA Club World Cup treble.
"I think it's a normal reaction for a team to sit back after reaching an aim," Beckenbauer said. "Of course the timing isn't great because everything is decided in May.
"There are decisive games in the Champions League and the DFB-Pokal. And now theyhave a little break, after a little blip.
"That means they don't play with the engagement and that concentration they played with a few months ago. And that's a pity because it is an important time at the moment.
"I think if you win the championship there is a reason to celebrate but my advice is not to celebrate too much, because in one week there is the cup final in Berlin.
"If it isn't possible to win the triple then the double wouldn't be bad. I believe they will need to concentrate on the final and so a big celebration (this weekend after the final league game) won't be good."
news_articleThu, 08 May 2014 16:18:42 +0000168685 at http://www.fourfourtwo.comBeckenbauer: Things not right at BayernBayern Munichs honorary president Franz Beckenbauer feels on-field matters at the club have not been right for a number of weeks.http://www.fourfourtwo.com/news/things-not-right-bayern-claims-beckenbauer
The German champions were sent crashing out of the UEFA Champions League semi-finals on Tuesday after a 4-0 second-leg defeat to Real Madrid on home soil.
After a largely dominant 2013-14, Bayern have faltered since the start of April, losing their 53-match unbeaten run in the league and seeing their hopes of back-to-back European titles dashed.
While Pep Guardiola's side can add the DFB-Pokal trophy to their Bundesliga crown this season, Bayern legend Beckenbauer believes the club have taken their foot off the gas during the second half of the campaign.
"Bayern is not right. This is something that we have known for weeks. The disappointment is huge," Marca quotes him as saying.
"From August until the season restarted a few weeks ago they played at the highest level and with maximum concentration.
"Then began a period of weakness and poor concentration that lasts until now."
Beckenbauer was a vocal critic of Bayern's performance in the 1-0 first-leg defeat to Real, stating Guardiola's men "made it easy" for Real.
news_articleWed, 30 Apr 2014 08:07:03 +0000162830 at http://www.fourfourtwo.comBeckenbauer, Van der Sar back Van Gaal for UnitedFranz Beckenbauer and Edwin van der Sar have claimed Manchester United could not find a better manager than Louis van Gaal.http://www.fourfourtwo.com/news/beckenbauer-van-der-sar-back-van-gaal-united
Van Gaal will quit his post as the Netherlands' head coach after this year's World Cup and has firmed as favourite to take over at Old Trafford, following the sacking of David Moyes this month.
The 62-year-old Dutchman has won titles in the Eredivisie, La Liga and Bundesliga, while he led Ajax Amsterdam to success in the UEFA Champions League in 1995.
Beckenbauer was president of Bayern Munich when the Bavarian club lured Van Gaal to Germany and believes the veteran coach would be 'perfect' for United, as the Premier League outfit look to rebuild following Moyes' disastrous tenure.
"He would be perfect for Man United because he is an internationally experienced coach and he understands English football," Beckenbauer told the Daily Mail.
"I don't know if it's a rumour or if they're really trying to sign him (Van Gaal) but if they agree with Louis I think it would be a good part of the future.
"He won a lot of titles so he is experienced and he is ambitious. He has the personality. He has everything."
Van Gaal won the Bundesliga-DFB Pokal double with Bayern in the 2009/10 season but was sacked in April of the next campaign as the German giants slumped to third.
But Beckenbauer remains convinced the Dutchman is 'one of the best coaches in the world', despite Van Gaal's reputation for arrogance.
"If you ask him a stupid question then it can be that his answer is a bit arrogant but if you treat him with respect, then respect comes back to you," the 68-year-old German said.
"I like him. He was also very successful with Bayern Munich. In the end there was a little discussion about the way he was handling his job so that's why they went separate ways. But for me he's one of the best coaches in the world."
Van der Sar, who won the Champions League and three Eredivisie titles with Van Gaal, before finishing his career at United, rates his compatriot ahead of other former bosses, such as Alex Ferguson and Carlo Ancelotti.
"I will say more about Louis and United once his appointment is official," the former goalkeeper told the Mirror.
"But I have made it clear here before that Louis van Gaal is the best manager I have ever played for.''
news_articleTue, 29 Apr 2014 02:25:54 +0000161949 at http://www.fourfourtwo.comGuardiola respectful of Beckenbauer criticismBayern Munich coach Pep Guardiola has refused to bite back at criticism from club legend Franz Beckenbauer.http://www.fourfourtwo.com/news/guardiola-respectful-beckenbauer-criticism
The fact that Bayern have been criticised seems outstanding on the surface, with the European champions 23 points clear of the second-placed Borussia Dortmund in the Bundesliga.
Their UEFA Champions League defence is on track, with Bayern having qualified for the quarter-finals, while they meet second-tier Kaiserslautern in the DFB-Pokal final.
But Beckenbauer expressed his disappointment with Bayern in the wake of their 1-1 home draw against Arsenal in the Champions League's last 16, claiming that the club would become "unwatchable like Barcelona" - Guardiola's former side.
When asked to respond, the Spaniard bit his tongue though, quoted as saying in Marca: "Franz isn't a legend. He is this club's legend.
"I have enormous respect for his opinion.
"I give the very best I can – I did at Barcelona and I do here. I always accept these opinions."
Bayern can win their second successive Bundesliga title this week, if they win at Mainz on Saturday and Borussia Dortmund and Schalke both fail to win.
news_articleMon, 17 Mar 2014 15:19:33 +0000139215 at http://www.fourfourtwo.comBeckenbauer concerned by Barca-esque BayernBayern Munich honorary president Franz Beckenbauer has criticised the club for playing too much like Barcelona.http://www.fourfourtwo.com/news/beckenbauer-concerned-barca-esque-bayern
The reigning German and European champions continued the defence of their UEFA Champions League title on Tuesday with a 3-1 aggregate victory over Arsenal in the last 16.
Bayern are also well on course to retain their Bundesliga crown, with a record of 22 wins and two draws from 24 league fixtures putting them 20 points clear of second-placed Borussia Dortmund.
However, Beckenbauer feels coach Pep Guardiola is moulding the team to play like former club Barca, and expressed a desire to see a return to a more direct approach.
"In the end we will be like the Barcelona," he is quoted as saying by Marca. "No one will want to see. These players would pass is the ball into the goalline.
"My vision is different. If I have the opportunity to shoot at goal from the second row, especially against a very populated defense, then I do.
"It is the most effective way."
Bayern and Atletico Madrid became the first sides to qualify for the Champions League quarter-finals on Tuesday.
news_articleWed, 12 Mar 2014 09:00:24 +0000136437 at http://www.fourfourtwo.com